"Once In A Lifetime Experience" English Language Scholar Report: Chiara Scapicchi

Spending this past month in Seattle has been a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience, one that I will always be grateful for. It wasn’t just an opportunity to improve my English, it was a chance to connect with people who made this journey meaningful,
especially German, the amazing person who made all of this possible. Words cannot express how truly grateful I am to him.

Over the course of these weeks, I had the chance to immerse myself in a brand-new culture, explore iconic places I had previously only seen in photographs, and, most importantly, to meet incredible people who made a big difference in my jo urney. At first, I found it funny to realize thatI was the only European student among almost 80 classmates, most of whom were from Asia. However, this quickly became one of the best parts of my experience. Even though we came from different cultures and spoke different languages, we became friends quickly. We spent a lot of time together after class, and our boat trip on Lake Washington was definitely one of my favorite memories.

German is truly a kind-hearted person. His warmth, generosity, and kindness made every moment special. Without him, I honestly don’t think this month would have been the same, and Bob’s great sense of humor made everything even more fun! Together, we shared many great experiences: a weekend trip to Vancouver, an unforgettable trip to Mount Rainier, and even helping with a wedding! Some guests staying at Bob and German’s house were preparing for their son’s wedding and needed to make almost 400 cookies. So, for one day, our kitchen became a real bakery!

My English course at the University of Washington was also a very important experience for me. It introduced me to a different way of learning compared to what I was used to in Italy. Through interactive lessons, group projects, and everyday conversations, learning English became more fun and natural. This practical approach helped me use English in real-life situations and made me more confident every day.

Outside the classroom, experiencing everyday American life also taught me a lot about the culture. From local trips to simple conversations with people, I learned things that I could never have learned from a textbook.

Heading back to Italy, I just want to say a huge thank you for everything: for every opportunity I had, for all I learned, for the amazing memories I'll always keep with me and to every single person I met along the way.

It’s impossible to name everyone, but I want to thank every person who spent time with me there, even if it was just for an hour.